Eyes & Vision
Entropion
An eyelid that rolls inward so the lashes rub the eye — irritating, and best corrected by an eye doctor.
📝 Summary
In short: An eyelid that rolls inward so the lashes rub the eye — irritating, and best corrected by an eye doctor.
Common causes: Aging and loosening of the eyelid muscles (most common); Scarring of the inner lid from injury or infection; Eye inflammation or, in some regions, past trachoma.
First thing to try: Use lubricating (artificial tear) drops or gelA cool, jelly-like preparation that soothes and moisturizes skin. How to make a gel → to protect the eye from the rubbing lashes.
See a doctor if: An eyelid that turns inward with ongoing irritation (see an eye doctor)
🌿 Overview
Entropion is an eyelid (usually the lower) that turns inward, so the eyelashes and skin scrape against the surface of the eye. It's most common in older adults and causes constant irritation; the fix is usually a minor procedure by an eye doctor.
When the lid rolls in, every blink drags the lashes across the cornea, leaving the eye red, watery, gritty, and sensitive. Over time the rubbing can scratch and even scar the cornea, so it shouldn't be left untreated.
Gentle home measures — lubricating drops, a warm compressA cloth soaked in warm or cold liquid, held on the skin. How to make a compress →, taping the lid down temporarily — can ease the irritation, but they don't fix the turned lid. The lasting solution is a quick corrective procedure. Any eye pain, vision change, or worsening redness means see an eye doctor promptly.
Common signs
- A feeling that something is in the eye (from the rubbing lashes)
- Redness, watering, and sensitivity to light
- Crusting and irritation of the eyelid
- Worse with blinking or wind
🔎 Why it happens
Common causes and triggers — spotting yours is often the first step to relief.
- Aging and loosening of the eyelid muscles (most common)
- Scarring of the inner lid from injury or infection
- Eye inflammation or, in some regions, past trachoma
- Spasm of the eyelid muscle
✅ What to do
Gentle, practical steps you can take at home — start at the top.
- Use lubricating (artificial tear) drops or gelA cool, jelly-like preparation that soothes and moisturizes skin. How to make a gel → to protect the eye from the rubbing lashes.
- Lay a warm compress over the closed eye to ease irritation and loosen crusting.
- Gently taping the lower lid down can give temporary relief (an eye doctor can show you how).
- See an eye doctor — the lasting fix is a minor procedure to turn the lid back out.
⭐ Community-ranked natural supports
Vote ▲ on everything that helped you, and ▼ on anything you tried that didn't — the ranking updates live. Tap 💬 to share what worked, so others can find it faster.
Stay well hydrated to keep the eye surface moist and less irritated.100573
Good general skin and eye health support comfort — but use proper artificial-tear drops for direct relief, not aloe in the eye.91329
Crowd feedback, not medical advice — in this preview your vote is saved on your device. *Ties are broken by our editor score (sources, safety, simplicity, cost, lifestyle fit).
📊 Compare these remedies side by side
Our editor score weighs sources, safety, simplicity, cost, and lifestyle fit. Source endorsements tally how many books and studies reference each remedy. A higher number isn't a promise — it's just a starting point.
| Remedy | Type | Editor score | Source endorsements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water & Hydration | Therapy | 100 | 573 |
| Aloe Vera Gel | Therapy | 91 | 329 |
| Lemon & Vitamin-C Foods | Food | 91 | 281 |
| Warm & Cold Compress | Therapy | 88 | 254 |
🍽️ Eating to help
Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.
Favor these
- Omega-3 and antioxidant-rich foods for eye-surface health
- Plenty of water
Go easy on
- Nothing specific
Good hydration and eye-friendly nutrition support a comfortable eye surface.
⚖️ Good to know
- Left untreated, the rubbing lashes can scratch and scar the cornea.
- Home measures only ease symptoms — they don't correct the turned lid.
🩺 When to see a doctor
- An eyelid that turns inward with ongoing irritation (see an eye doctor)
- Eye pain, vision changes, or increasing redness and discharge
- A scratchy, watery eye that won't settle
📜 A note from history
Soothing compresses and lubrication have long eased the discomfort of an inward-turning lid, with surgery the lasting cure.
📚 Learn more
Trusted, independent sources for further reading. These open in a new tab.
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